The internet is an amazing thing. All too often, we only hear about the negative aspects of online communities and social networking sites but for moms especially, it allows people to reach out to each other and connect. Many of you know from blogging, that friendships can really blossom online. When you hear the positive stories, it really makes you feel great.

My husband always teases me about “my buddies” (that’s what he calls them). “What do your buddies think about (insert topic)?” he says. Or “Why don’t you ask your buddies?” He loves to crack jokes. But, I’ve caught him peeking over my shoulder when I’m looking at vacation slideshows or watching videos of S jumping in the pool and B singing the entire ABC song. Laugh if you want, but they are friends.

My village is a group of women with babies born in November 2006. We have been hanging out together [online] for over 2 years now. Our children brought us together and we have maintained contact ever since February/March 2006 when positive HPTs started popping up in our homes around the world. Our group is diverse and international. We have ladies in the US, Canada, Greece, Australia and Hawaii. (Yes-I know Hawaii is part of the US, but, it’s so exotic I have to list it separately!) We have moms of one, moms of two or more and moms of multiples; stay-at-home moms, moms in the field of medicine, law, agriculture and more, moms with their own businesses and even a Wicked Witch down under. And, some of our moms have the good fortune to live close enough to each other to have actual in-person play dates!

It can be reassuring to compare notes with a big group of moms with children in the same age group. Several of us found reassurance in the fact that our children’s weird eye blinking episodes were just the kids discovering and playing with their eyes – not a neurological condition or vision problem at all. (wouldn’t that have been an embarrassing trip to the doctor!) The friendships extend beyond comparing notes and seeking advice about our children- we are there to cheer each other on, listen to vents without judgement and be there to provide extra support during difficult times. You know, all the stuff that friendships are based on.

I also need to make a quick shout out to my first and most enduring buddy group – the LWP. There aren’t many of us, but it’s been 4 years and we’re still going strong! Happy Anniversary!

It takes a village. Mine is online. What’s your village like?

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12 Responses to “It takes a village. Mine is online.”

Without my online “buddies” I would be a former working mom who was stressed out and yearning for an outlet. Being a blogger and meeting other moms online has been such an amazing and uplifting experience. It can get lonely in “stay-at-home-mom” land and I don’t know what I would do without it.

Great post. I couldn’t agree more (obviously!). I am so thankful that we’ve got Our Village, for the good times, for the hard times, for all those burning questions about sleeping and pooping and all things kid related. : )

I love our online Village. I don’t know how I’d have gotten through pregnancy and the last two years without everyone’s love and support. I feel very blessed and lucky that I had the great good fortune to have a Nov. 2006 baby!

I like that you have language to describe it — your village — and that your husband has a word for it. I always get awkward when referring to someone who I know only online. Do I say “one of my blogging colleagues” or “someone I know from blogging?” “My twitter friends are talking about xyz…”

Kim – Thanks for anniversary wishes. I know what you mean about having an outlet. I get some of my best ideas from my village moms.

RookieMom – I used to call them my online friends back when our village was just starting out. But, now, we just refer to each other as friends when mentioning each other to people “in real life”. We actually had a discussion about this topic. Most of us have never met each other in person. But, we laugh together, cry together, celebrate milestones together and confide in each other. In our opinion, friends are friends regardless of where we meet them.

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